Finance Data & Systems Manager

Darlington, London

Summary

About the job

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for developing, coordinating, and delivering a new trade and investment policy for the UK, including preparing for and negotiating Free Trade Agreements and market access deals with non-EU countries, and promoting UK trade and investment across the world.

The Future Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Shared Services Programme is an exciting, transformational programme to shape the future of the finance function, financial systems, services, and analysis that is available to DIT. The programme is a joint venture across DIT’s Corporate Services to transform transactional and operational services through strategic systems and service improvements – making an excellent opportunity for colleagues to work across boundaries, support broader corporate service transformation, and learn more about the future finance technology and service landscape.

The Future ERP and Shared Services Programme will shape the future of functional services and the technology adopted across DIT, with a newly established team to help deliver the departments ambitions. The team, made up of finance, digital, programme, business change and HR professionals, is responsible for DIT’s approach to future technology moving to the Cloud, and devising the approach to updated shared service, transactional finance, and data arrangements the department when enabled by new technology and modern services. This is an exciting programme working with partners in 7 government departments. This gives excellent opportunities for creating networks and professional development to create transformative and long-term financial solutions for DIT.

Role

We are recruiting two key roles to the programme as part of this

Finance roles within the team are growing as the future strategy is developed, focussing on system design, data and the overall strategic approach to DIT’s future financial service.

• 1 x Finance Data Manager
• 1 x Finance Systems Manager

The post holders will be involved in various aspects of finance transformation through the programme, giving them exposure to work in finance, project delivery and digital spaces. These are excellent opportunities for individuals bringing knowledge of broader finance and learning about future finance transformation, corporate services, and the future of finance operation.

These roles require similar skillsets and therefore applicants will be invited to state a preference for the role which they would prefer if successful.

Job Description

Working as within the finance transformation team within the programme, and reporting to the Finance Transformation Lead, the two roles will be responsible for leading on the move of the department’s financial systems to cloud technology and helping support the review of the future financial shared service provision. These roles will include identifying and delivering tactical improvements to existing systems, data and processes, whilst supporting the development and delivery of a strategy for financial systems over the lifespan of the programme.

Key Accountabilities For The Roles Look Like

• Leading on the future data standards, management information available and the future requirements for finance information
• Leading on the future finance system, requirements, and key stakeholder needs through the design of the system
• Leading on stakeholder liaison and with finance professionals in understanding their business needs now, and plans for long term improvements
• Working with the Continuous Improvement Team to investigate opportunities to reduce manual intervention by automating finance processes
• Ensuring that finance requirements are incorporated into the designs of any new technology and service tools to be implemented by the department
• Drawing on financial expertise to make recommendations on improvements for the department’s financial system and services
• Drawing on experience of previous roles within finance to shape and support transformation to modern, easy to use finance services for DIT
• Working with partners across government to support delivery against finance functional standards and with mindfulness of key accounting requirements
• Ownership of systems and data deliverables within the programme’s portfolio and accountability for their successful delivery.

Responsibilities

Essential Criteria

• Experience of working with and understanding of financial processes
• Experience of working with finance management information (MI)
• Experience of working within a finance function in a finance professional capacity
• Experience of process simplification, improvement, or automation within a finance environment
• Embedding change, understanding and realising benefits across a complex working environment.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with finance systems
• Experience of working with Oracle E-Business Suite
• Experience of implementing, improving or analysis finance management information tools
• Experience of working in and/or delivering business change projects
• Experience of design or implementation of a cloud-based ERP solution.

Person Specification

These roles provide excellent opportunity for the suitable candidates to join a high priority programme, with clear development potential through the opportunity to shape the future of a finance function, financial services, and the long-term strategic direction and requirements. There is no ideal candidate for the role, though excellent time management, organisation and planning skills, supported by a background in the finance profession, are required.

A Successful Candidate Would Be Able To

• Work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Establish a network of contacts to gather best practice and business needs
• Prioritise workload and deadlines effectively
• Identify opportunities for improvement over short-term, medium-term and long-term timeframes
• Communicate and engage confidently with subject matter experts
• Communicate to a very high standard, both orally and written.

The Future ERP and Shared Services team is a growing team of multi-skilled professionals. The right candidates will be able to work collaboratively as part of a team, sharing their expertise and helping support others to understand their needs. The team is newly created, and therefore the ideal candidates will be welcomed to help establish a team culture, with leadership opportunities for matrix management of support officer roles within the team.

Hybrid Working

The role will be based in either London or Darlington. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Most DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. In addition, where appropriate, you may be invited to attend a video interview.

Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

Sift will take place week commencing 21/03/2022.

Interviews will take place week commencing 28/03/2022.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 21/03/22. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test, a CV and a personal statement.

Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 2 A4 pages.

In your personal statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and desirable requirements of the role. Maximum word count of 500.

In the event that there is a high volume of applications, a short sift will be conducted based on the CV.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.

The Department for International Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.

Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to the Department for International Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at here

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Vetting Requirements

CTC

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK. The requirement for CTC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require CTC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks Will Be Made Against

• departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records.
• Security Services records

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Ian Judson
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment Team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DIT by email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints